With Trump tweets and tax schemes, do Kentucky Republicans need a support group?

It’s Thursday evening, and members of Republicans Anonymous have gathered on the overstuffed sofa and recliners in the living room of Ed’s home in Former Horse Farm Estates.

“My name is Brad, and I’ve voted Republican all my life,” says a middle-aged store manager. “It’s been four months since I last watched Fox News.”

“Hi, Brad,” everyone replies.

“My name is John, and I’ve always voted Republican,” a retired small business owner says. “I’ve been Limbaugh-free for six months. I’ve started listening to NPR instead, and my blood pressure is way down.”

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“Like a lot of conservatives, I’ve never trusted Mitch,” Joe says. “But the one who really disappointed me was Rand Paul. He’s always yammering about the deficit. Then he votes to add $1 trillion to it.”

John and Ed jump in to defend Gov. Matt Bevin as being pro-business, but Susan isn’t having it.

“I’m just glad I got out when I did,” she says. “What smart person will want to be a teacher now? High stress. Low pay. After the last stock market crash, I knew people with 401(k)s who had to get jobs at Walmart.

“Does anyone still have a ‘Make America Great Again’ bumper sticker?” John asks.

All eyes turn to Mary.

“I made my husband peel it off last week,” she says. “After Trump attacked Matt Lauer for doing the same stuff more than a dozen women have accused him of, well, I just lost it. My pastor keeps saying we need to look the other way because Trump is against abortion and homosexuals and Muslims, but I just can’t do it anymore.

“I mean, all the lies! And the tweets. Does that man ever go to church?” she asks. “I wouldn’t let him near my daughter. And if my son ever acted like Trump, he would be grounded for life.

“I met a Muslim,” Susan says, trying to change the subject. “She and her husband and kids live down the street. They’re immigrants, but she seems nice. They’ve been here a couple of years, but I just met her because they’re always working.”

Time is up, and Ed brings the meeting to a close.

“See you next week,” he says. “And be careful what you say outside this room. Someone who watches Fox News might hear and call you a liberal.”

About Tom Eblen

Tom Eblen is a columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader who writes about life, people and issues in Lexington and Kentucky. A Lexington native, Eblen was the Herald-Leader's managing editor from 1998 to 2008.